Stackable luggage assembly

ABSTRACT

A luggage component includes a case extending between a lower end and an upper end and includes a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween. At least one wheel extends from the rear wall proximate the upper end. At least one fixed position wheel extends from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall. At least one multi-function wheel extends relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall. The luggage component also includes an adjustable handle assembly which includes a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end. The end portion defines a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall. At least one handle shaft is configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall. The handle shaft is configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a luggage. More particularly, the invention relates to a stackable luggage assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Luggage transport is a major component of modern travel. However, a great deal of effort is exerted by travelers attempting to move multiple sections of luggage. While luggage carts may be available, they are often not available when or where needed or have a cost associated with them. As such, many travelers attempt to move multiple luggage items without the benefit of a luggage cart. This can cause a less pleasant traveling experience.

While some proposals have been made to allow a suitcase to be converted to function similarly to a luggage cart, such devices have proven to be complex and/or complicated to convert. Additionally, because the suitcases are not primarily intended to be used as a cart, they often provide and unstable transport surface. Such may be worsened when attempting to stack bags of different sizes on such a converted suitcase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a luggage component which includes a case extending between a lower end and an upper end and including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween. The case defines an internal storage area within the walls. At least one wheel extends from the rear wall proximate the upper end. At least one fixed position wheel extends from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall. At least one multi-function wheel extends relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall. The luggage component also includes an adjustable handle assembly which includes a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end. The end portion defines a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall. At least one handle shaft is configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall. The handle shaft is configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing.

In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a luggage assembly. The luggage assembly includes a first luggage component which includes a first case extending between a lower end and an upper end and including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween. The first case defines an internal storage area within the walls. The first case further defines a first set of connecting members along the front wall thereof. At least one wheel extends from the rear wall proximate the upper end. At least one fixed position wheel extends from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall. At least one multi-function wheel extends relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall. The first luggage component also includes an adjustable handle assembly which includes a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end. The end portion defines a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall. At least one handle shaft is configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall. The handle shaft is configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing. The luggage assembly further includes a second luggage component including a second case including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween. The second case defines an internal storage area within the walls. The second case further defines a second set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the first set of connecting members.

In at least one embodiment of the luggage assembly, the first set of connecting members are positioned along a first perimeter and the first case includes a third set of connecting members positioned along a second perimeter within the first perimeter. The assembly further comprises a third luggage component including a third case with a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween. The third case defines an internal storage area within the walls. The third case further defines a fourth set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the third set of connecting members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a luggage component in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in an upright configuration and orientation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the luggage component of FIG. 1 in a stacking configuration and orientation.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the luggage component of FIG. 1 in the upright configuration and orientation.

FIG. 4 is an expanded perspective view of a portion of the wheel assembly of the luggage component of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the luggage component of FIG. 1 in an upright orientation with the wheels moved to the stacking configuration.

FIG. 6 is an expanded perspective view of a portion of the wheel assembly of the luggage component of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the handle assembly of the luggage component of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the handle assembly of the luggage component of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates conversion of one of the luggage component of FIG. 1 to the stacking configuration and orientation and positioning of a second luggage component thereon.

FIG. 10 illustrates three luggage components of a stackable luggage assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the luggage components of FIG. 10 in a stacked configuration.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views of a handle assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention with the hooks thereof in retracted and use positions, respectively.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a luggage component in the stacking configuration with the hooks providing additional transport options.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing another alternative luggage component in the stacking configuration with hooks providing additional transport options.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a stackable luggage assembly 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will be described. The stackable luggage assembly 10 includes at least two luggage components 20, 20′ with at least one of the luggage components 20 convertible from an upright configuration shown in FIG. 1 to a stacking configuration shown in FIG. 2. The convertible luggage component 20 generally includes a case 30 with an adjustable wheel assembly 40 and an adjustable handle assembly 60.

The case 30 may have various configurations. The illustrated case 30 has a rectangular configuration with a front wall 32, a rear wall 34 and a side wall 36 extending therebtween. A zipper 33 is provided between the front wall 32 and the side wall 36 to facilitate opening of the case 30 to access an internal compartment (not shown). The case 30 extends from a lower end 31 to an upper end 39, as oriented when the luggage component 20 is in the upright orientation illustrated in FIG. 1. Again, the case 30 is not limited to the illustrated configuration and may have other configurations, for example, a clam shell configuration, a duffle bag configuration, a garment bag configuration or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it is seen that the front and rear walls 32, 34 have female and male connecting elements 35 and 37, respectively. The male connecting elements 37 of one luggage component 20′ are sized and positioned to be received in and engage the female connecting elements 35 of another luggage component 20 when it is stacked upon the other as illustrated in FIG. 9. With the male connecting elements 37 engaged within the female connecting elements 35, the luggage components 20, 20′ are maintained in a stable configuration and may be transported as a stackable luggage assembly 10. While male and female connecting elements are illustrated, the invention is not limited to such. The connecting elements may have other configurations, for example, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buckles, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the luggage component 30′ does not include the adjustable wheel assembly 40 or the adjustable handle assembly 60 as with the luggage component 30 since the stacking configuration permits transport of multiple luggage components with only one convertible component.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the luggage assembly 10′ may include luggage components 20″, 20′″, 20 ^(iv) having varying case 30′, 30″, 30′″ configurations. In the illustrated embodiment, the cases 30′, 30″, 30′″ are of different sizes from one another. To facilitate reliable stacking of the luggage components 20″, 20′″, 20 ^(iv), the cases 30′, 30″, 30′″ may have varying configurations of connecting elements. In the illustrated embodiment, to accommodate the potentially different size cases stacked thereupon, the front wall 32′ of the larger case 30′ includes three sets of female connecting elements 37 a, 37 b, 37 c. The first set of female connecting elements 37 a are positioned along an outer perimeter P1 and are configured to align with male connecting elements on another larger case of the same size. Each large case 30′ will have one set of male connecting elements 35 positioned along a similar perimeter P1. The second set of female connecting elements 37 b are positioned along an intermediate perimeter P2 and are configured to align with male connecting elements on an intermediate size case 30″. Each intermediate case 30″ will have one set of male connecting elements 35 positioned along a similar perimeter P2. The third set of female connecting elements 37 c are positioned along an inner perimeter P3 and are configured to align with male connecting elements on a small size case 30′″. Each small case 30′″ will have one set of male connecting elements 35 positioned along a similar perimeter P3.

The intermediate luggage component 20′″ and the smaller luggage component 20 ^(iv) also have connecting elements to facilitate stacking thereon. More specifically, the front wall 32″ of the intermediate case 30″ includes two sets of female connecting elements 37 b, 37 c. The first set of female connecting elements 37 b are positioned along the intermediate perimeter P2 and are configured to align with male connecting elements on another intermediate case 30″ of the same size. The second set of female connecting elements 37 c are positioned along the inner perimeter P3 and are configured to align with male connecting elements on a small size case 30′″. Each small case 30′″ has a front wall 32′″ with one set of female connecting elements 37 c thereon. The female connecting elements 37 c are positioned along the inner perimeter P3 and are configured to align with male connecting elements on a similarly sized small size case 30′″. It is noted that the intermediate and small luggage components 20′″, 20′ have a standard handle assembly 60′.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the adjustable wheel assembly 40 of the convertible luggage component 20 will be described. The wheel assembly 40 includes a pair of fixed position wheels 42 extending from the lower end 31 of the case 30 proximate the front wall 32. While the position of the wheels 42 may be fixed, the wheels 42 may still be rotatable around an axis or the like. A pair of adjustable wheels 44 extend from the lower end 31 of the case 30 proximate the rear wall 34. Each of the wheels 44 extends from a shaft 45 which is moveable within a respective groove 46 extending from the lower end 31 of the side wall 36 to the rear wall 34. As such, each of the wheels 44 is moveable between an upright orientation position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the wheel 44 extends from the lower end 31 and a stacking orientation position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein the wheel 44 extends from the rear wall 34. The grooves 46 may include locking detents or the like to retain the shaft 45, and thereby the wheel 44, in a desired position. As an alternative, wheels (not shown) may extend at the intersection of the rear wall 34 and side wall 36 such that wheels provide a rolling element in both the upright and stacking orientations. In such an embodiment, the wheels provided at the intersection may be larger than the other wheels to facilitate such dual function.

The wheel assembly 40 also includes one or more retractable wheels 48 positioned along the rear wall 34 toward the upper end 39 of the case 30. Each wheel 48 extends from a shaft 47. The shaft 47 extends within a groove 51 which opens into a retaining cavity 49 in the rear wall 34. Each wheel 48 is moveable between a retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, wherein the shaft 47 is within the groove 51 and the wheel 48 is within the retaining cavity 49 and an extended position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the shaft is rotated to extend from the groove 51 and the wheel 48 is extended from the rear wall 34. The grooves 51 may include locking detents or the like to retain the shaft 47, and thereby the wheel 48, in a desired position.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, an exemplary embodiment of the adjustable handle assembly 60 will be described. The handle assembly 60 includes a housing 62 which generally extends along the rear wall 60 from a lower end 61 to an upper end 69. The upper end 69 of the housing 62 extends beyond the upper end 39 of the case 30 and a portion thereof may extend along the side wall 36 as illustrated. A pair of handle shafts 64 extend into the housing 62 and are moveable from a retracted position within the housing 62 to an extended position where a portion thereof extends from the housing 62. The handle shafts 64 may have a telescoping configuration. A handle member 66 interconnects the external ends of the handle shafts 64. As seen in FIG. 7, a rotation shaft 68 positioned within the housing 62 interconnects the inner ends of the two handle shafts 64. The rotation shaft 68 moves with the handle shafts 64 as they are extended from the housing 62 and a stop surface 63 at the upper end 69 of the housing 62 defines a limit of travel of the rotation shaft 68. In operation in the upright orientation and configuration, the handle member 66 and handle shafts 64 are extended and retracted relative to the housing in a known manner.

The handle assembly 60 may also be rotated to the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to convert the luggage component 20 to the stacking configuration. To facilitate such, a pair of slots 65 are defined in the housing upper end 69, extending substantially parallel with the side wall 36. A user extends the handle shafts 64 until the rotation shaft 68 is adjacent the stop surface 63 and then pivots the handle member 66 and the handle shafts 64 about the stopped rotation shaft 68 until the handle shafts 64 extend in the slots 65. A spring biased locking clip 67 may be positioned adjacent each of the slots 65 to lock the respective shaft 64 in the slot 65. Alternatively, the handle shafts 64 and the rotation shaft 68 may remain free such that the angle of the handle shafts 64 relative to the case 30 may adjust during use.

Having generally described the luggage assembly 10 components, conversion of the luggage component 30 from the stacking configuration/orientation in FIG. 1 to the stacking configuration/orientation in FIG. 9 will be described with respect to FIGS. 3-6 and 9. When the user wants to convert the luggage component 20 to the stacking configuration such that it can be used as a luggage cart to stack and move other luggage components, it first extends the wheels 44 and 48 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. While not required, it may desirable to move each of the wheels 48 first while the case 30 is still supported in a stable upright position. Each wheel 48 is rotated from its retaining cavity 49 with the shaft 47 moving in groove 51. Once the wheels 48 are in the extended position, the wheels 44 may be rotated to its stacking orientation position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The handle assembly 60 may be utilized to hold the case 30 steady as the wheels 44 are moved. Once the wheels 44 and 48 have been positioned in the stacking configuration, the handle assembly 60 may be utilized to lower the case 30 to stacking orientation with the wheels 44 and 48 supporting the case 30 for wheeled transport. The handle member 66 and handle shafts 64 are then rotated as illustrated in FIG. 9 such that the handle shafts 64 extend at an acute angle relative to the side wall 36. The acute angle may include a zero angle wherein the shafts 64 are generally parallel with the side wall 36. With the wheels 44, 48 and handle assembly 60 so positioned, the luggage component 20 is ready for stacking of other components thereon, as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 11. It is noted that during the conversion, the case 30 is easily manipulated and difficult or unnatural handling thereof is not necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, an optional handle feature may be included to provide additional convenience in transporting multiple items. In the handle assembly 60″, one or more hook assemblies 70 may be defined along the handle member 66′ or the handle shafts 64. In the illustrated embodiment, three hook assemblies 70 are defined in the handle member 66′. Each hook assembly 70 includes a hook shaped member 72 pivotally attached to the handle member 66′ via a pivot joint 74. Each hook shaped member 72 is configured to rotate from a stored position within a slot 76 in the handle member 66′, as illustrated in FIG. 12, to a use position wherein the hook shaped member 72 depends from the handle member 66′, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The hook assemblies 70 allow the strap 82 of a bag 80 or the like to be hung from the hook shaped member 72 for additional convenient transport via the luggage component 20 ^(v), as shown in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 15, a luggage component 20 vi in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The luggage component 20 vi is similar to the previous embodiments and only the distinct features will be described here. In the present embodiment, the handle assembly 60′″ has a wide configuration which allows for greater control in the stacking configuration. More specifically, the handle shafts 64 are spaced further from one another compared to the previous embodiment and the handle member 66″ has a longer length to extend between the handle shafts 64. The handle assembly 60′″ will function in the same manner as described above with respect to extension and rotation thereof.

Additionally, in the present embodiment, the handle assembly 60′″ includes one or more fixed hook assemblies 70′ defined along the handle member 66″. In the illustrated embodiment, three hook assemblies 70′ are defined along the handle member 66″. Each hook assembly 70′ includes a hook shaped member 72 in a fixed position relative to the handle member 66″. The hook shaped members 72 may extend into slots or the like in the housing 62 when the handle assembly 60′″ is in a retracted position.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A luggage component comprising: a case extending between a lower end and an upper end and including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the case defining an internal storage area within the walls; at least one wheel extending from the rear wall proximate the upper end; at least one fixed position wheel extending from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall; at least one multi-function wheel extending relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall; and an adjustable handle assembly including: a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end, the end portion defining a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall; and at least one handle shaft configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall, the handle shaft configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing.
 2. The luggage component of claim 1 wherein the at least one handle shaft is configured to pivot at any angle between 0° and 90°.
 3. The luggage component of claim 1 wherein the adjustable handle assembly further includes a second handle shaft spaced from the at least one handle shaft with a handle member extending between free ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft.
 4. The luggage component of claim 3 wherein a rotation shaft is positioned within the housing and interconnect opposite ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft.
 5. The luggage component of claim 4 wherein the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft are configured to rotate when the rotation shaft is proximate the end portion of the housing.
 6. The luggage component of claim 3 wherein at least one hook member extends from the handle member.
 7. The luggage component of claim 6 wherein the at least one hook member is configured to pivot between a use position and a retracted position within the handle member.
 8. The luggage component of claim 1 wherein the at least one wheel extending from the rear wall proximate the upper end is pivotal between a retracted position and an extended position.
 9. The luggage component of claim 1 wherein the at least one multi-function wheel is moveable from a first position wherein it extends from the side wall to a second position wherein it extends from the rear wall.
 10. The luggage component of claim 1 wherein the case defines a first set of connecting members along the front wall.
 11. The luggage component of claim 1 wherein the first set of connecting members are positioned along a first perimeter and the case defines a second set of connecting members along the front wall that are positioned along a second perimeter within the first perimeter.
 12. A luggage assembly comprising: a first luggage component comprising: a first case extending between a lower end and an upper end and including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the first case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the first case further defining first set of connecting members along the front wall thereof; at least one wheel extending from the rear wall proximate the upper end; at least one fixed position wheel extending from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall; at least one multi-function wheel extending relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall; and an adjustable handle assembly including: a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end, the end portion defining a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall; and at least one handle shaft configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall, the handle shaft configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing; and a second luggage component comprising: a second case including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the second case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the second case further defining a second set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the first set of connecting members.
 13. The luggage assembly according to claim 12 wherein the first set of connecting members are positioned along a first perimeter and the first case includes a third set of connecting members defined along the front wall thereof and positioned along a second perimeter within the first perimeter; and the assembly further comprises a third luggage component including a third case including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the third case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the third case further defining a fourth set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the third set of connecting members.
 14. The luggage assembly according to claim 13 wherein the first case includes a fifth set of connecting members defined along the front face thereof and positioned along a third perimeter within the second perimeter; and the assembly further comprises a fourth luggage component including a fourth case including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the fourth case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the fourth case further defining a sixth set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the fifth set of connecting members.
 15. The luggage assembly according to claim 14 wherein the third case includes a seventh set of connecting members defined on the front wall thereof and positioned along the second perimeter and an eight set of connecting members defined on the front wall thereof and positioned along the third perimeter.
 16. The luggage assembly according to claim 15 wherein the fourth case includes a ninth set of connecting members defined on the front wall thereof and positioned along the third perimeter.
 17. The luggage component of claim 12 wherein the at least one handle shaft is configured to pivot at any angle between 0° and 90°.
 18. The luggage component of claim 12 wherein the handle assembly further includes a second handle shaft spaced from the at least one handle shaft with a handle member extending between free ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft.
 19. The luggage component of claim 18 wherein a rotation shaft is positioned within the housing and interconnect opposite ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft and the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft are configured to rotate when the rotation shaft is proximate the end portion of the housing.
 20. The luggage component of claim 18 wherein at least one hook member extends from the handle member. 